DETROIT -- Tom Izzo acknowledges that after winning a national championship and making six Final Four appearances, he still coaches Michigan State with an edge and as if he were trying to keep his job because there's work to be done.

Izzo's latest motivating factor is how as Michigan State's coach, his teams are 1-7 against Duke after the Blue Devils bounced the Spartans from the NCAA tournament in the Sweet 16 in March.

Izzo let this be known during the Michigan Elite 25 coaching clinic Tuesday when he told event co-founder Tim McCormick and the rest of the crowd that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is the best coach he's faced head-to-head.

"Krzyzewski's probably still the guy because we're (1-7) against him, so anybody who beats us that much I've got to say is the best coach," Izzo said. "And it really ticks me off, to be honest with you. You know, that's what drives you a little bit, too."

While demonstrating drills at the clinic, Izzo referenced his record against Duke a second time, noting how Duke plays the passing lanes well.

Krzyzewski, a friend of Izzo's, became the winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history after a November 2011 victory against Michigan State at the Champions Classic.

The two teams aren't scheduled to meet this season, but are currently locked in multiple recruiting battles for recruits in the 2014 class.

Izzo before the NCAA tournament game five months ago spoke of Krzyzewski's ability to sustain success. Michigan State has gone to 16 consecutive NCAA tournaments under Izzo, who said at the clinic he continues to strive for a lasting legacy.

"I want to leave a footprint," Izzo said. "I see a lot of great coaches. I watched (Indiana's) Bobby Knight. What happened? I watched (Purdue's) Gene Keady. What happened, you know? It's hard to sustain something that will hold the test of time, and I think that's all of our goals."